Lowenstein Sandler names chief officer of inclusion

J. Danielle Carr has been named chief officer of inclusion at Lowenstein Sandler, elevating her from her previous role of director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Her promotion was effective July 1.

According to Managing Partner Gary Wingens, Carr has elevated the firm’s strategy, programs and results for diversity, equity and inclusion since she joined Lowenstein in April 2020.

“Danielle has been a fantastic leader of our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and she is highly deserving of this promotion,” said Wingens. “The commitment to diversity has been central to Lowenstein’s DNA since our founding. Danielle has taken that firm value and given it wings by setting strategic goals, implementing effective training, introducing creative programming, and ensuring diversity in our hiring, permeating every aspect of our firm’s culture. We are delighted to have her join our senior firm management team.”

“This year marks my 22nd year as a DEI professional, and I can unequivocally say that working at Lowenstein exceeds all of my expectations! From day one, firm leadership has made it clear that DEI is a core firm value, and has committed the resources needed to enable the firm to not just talk about DEI but also do the work necessary to break down systemic barriers that once limited underrepresented talent recruitment, retention, promotion, and leadership development,” said Carr. “To be promoted to chief officer of inclusion at a firm that is not only committed but is intentional in its approach to diversity initiatives and programming is an honor.”

Lowenstein Sandler has had several achievement since Carr joined the firm. It’s exceeded Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certification standards; been recognized as one of Vault’s 2022 Best Law Firms for Diversity; was named to Bloomberg Law’s inaugural Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Framework; and received a 100% rating for the sixth year in a row on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace.

Carr has launched four new Employee Resource Groups at the firm, providing support to people with chronic conditions, veterans and allies, mental health and wellness, and of color business service professionals. She developed an inclusion training program for firm employees and has grown the office’s events focused on educating others on perspectives and issues facing people of diverse backgrounds and identities.

Last year, Carr was elected to serve as vice president of the national Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals.